A provocative investigation from City Journal places California Governor Gavin Newsom in a contentious spotlight. It claims that his administration has allocated an astounding $1 billion towards nonprofit organizations aiding migrants to enter and remain in the U.S. while also funding initiatives to obstruct deportations.
The findings suggest that California, recognized as the largest sanctuary state, became a focal point during the Biden administration’s border crisis, with over 400,000 illegal immigrants entering the state from 2021 to 2023. While Republican-led states fortified their borders, California adopted a different approach, investing in what critics deem a state-supported open border system.
According to state records reviewed in the report, the Newsom administration has channeled substantial contracts to organizations assisting migrants. Among these allocations is over $250 million to Catholic Charities, $85 million to Jewish Family Services, $12 million to Centro Legal de la Raza, and $23 million to the Immigration Institute of the Bay Area.
The lifetime cost to treat someone living with AIDS is ONE MILLION DOLLARS per person.
So @GavinNewsom is KNOWINGLY importing undocumented migrants with AIDS so AMERICAN TAXPAYERS can financially support them. pic.twitter.com/GTCNLZqE45
— KCinQC (@qc_cin) April 22, 2026
The report also highlights certain radical activist groups, including Al Otro Lado, which has received more than $2 million in funding since Newsom’s administration began. This nonprofit advocates for “freedom of movement” and deploys volunteers to provide essential supplies along remote migration paths.
In a cited Instagram video, Al Otro Lado’s attorney, Diego Teixeira, expressed a controversial belief that borders should not exist. Additionally, the group has showcased books with provocative titles, reflecting its critical stance towards the U.S. The organization is currently involved in legal actions against the Trump administration regarding border policies and did not respond to requests for comments.
Among the more troubling allegations is regarding Oasis Legal Services, a taxpayer-funded organization supporting “queer and trans immigrants.” It has claimed a remarkable asylum win rate of 99% for clients represented by its team. Although Oasis denies any promotion of illegal immigration, the report raises questions about its practices.
The report reveals alarming statistics from Oasis’s annual report, indicating that in 2024, one in six new clients was living with HIV, with the proportion rising to one in five by 2025.
In a response to comments sought, Oasis’s executive director stated that individuals with HIV are not prohibited from entering the U.S. based solely on their health status.
The investigation further asserts that Newsom-endorsed funding extends into legal actions that safeguard migrants against deportations, including those with prior criminal convictions. One noted nonprofit, the Immigrant Defenders Law Center (ImmDef), has received at least $6.7 million in state support and has publicly advocated for the abolition of the immigration prison system and ICE.
ImmDef has labeled Trump-era policies as “white supremacist” and operates using a model that aims to provide legal representation regardless of the merits of a case. The group did not respond to inquiries for comments regarding these claims.
The investigation emphasizes a significant lack of transparency within California law regarding immigration status disclosures in criminal courts, thereby hampering public understanding of how taxpayer-funded immigration defense services are utilized for criminal offenders.
Notably, the San Diego County Immigrant Legal Defense Program has faced scrutiny for providing legal assistance to noncitizens charged with serious crimes, including drug trafficking. While they assert these instances are minimal, they raise important concerns about resource allocation.
Although state Republicans have mandated restrictions on public funding for immigration defense for felons, questions remain about the enforcement of these limits. The investigation also noted that certain Democrats are advocating for increased resources to assist illegal immigrants in deportation cases.
The investigation ends with a focus on street activism against federal immigration enforcement in Los Angeles. This includes anti-ICE protests that incurred significant city costs and led to numerous arrests. The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights Los Angeles (CHIRLA) is identified as a key player in this activism, having received approximately $110 million from California taxpayers during Newsom’s tenure. CHIRLA has been pivotal in organizing responses to ICE actions.
During protests, CHIRLA’s executive director framed ICE operations as a violent assault on migrants. Congressional inquiries have sought to determine if taxpayer-funded organizations have engaged in obstructive activities against federal laws. CHIRLA, however, has framed its actions within the context of non-violent advocacy.
A spokesperson for Newsom defended the state’s actions, asserting they are not funding illegal activities nor undermining public health regulations.
Nonetheless, critics underscore a broader agenda: the spending under Newsom is seen not merely as humanitarian aid but as a strategy to cultivate a robust legal and activist structure that supports illegal immigration while reshaping the political landscape in favor of Democrats.
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